Crown Bakery - Las Vegas, NV

4355 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89102

I was craving some baked goods while in Vegas and the good folks on Yelp led me to Crown Bakery. It's located upstairs (above Tea Station) and is a cute, if small, Korean bakery. I'm afraid I don't remember what I got, but I can assure you it was good. I grabbed 4 items that looked interesting and headed to the counter to pay. The sweet Korean lady saw me looking at the picture she had on the wall of her daughter (and I was holding my then-almost-2-year-old daughter) and jokingly told me how her 9 month old was so huge and heavy she was puffing after carrying her up the stairs to the shop.
Anyway, here are the goodies:

Light, fluffy texture, not too sweet. Crown Bakery is a winner! Too bad I don't live in Vegas anymore.

Hachi - Las Vegas, NV

11011 West Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89135
ilovehachi.com

Hachi is located inside the Red Rock Casino. When we went to visit my parents in Vegas last September, my mom took us to eat here. It's a long, skinny restaurant, with shiny, modernish red, black and white decor. Here's what we ordered: edamame, little sumpin' sumpin roll (cali roll topped with tuna & cilantro), 8-ball roll (soft shell crab, bell pepper, seared yellowtail, avocado & garlic ponzu), marijane roll (crispy coconut shrimp, eel, shiso, mango puree, avocado, spicy mayo & eel sauce), seared beef roll (with yuzu soy) and smack roll (it was on a special menu, don't know what was in it but boy was it tasty).
I loved all of it!!

For dessert, a trio of creme brulee: green tea, ginger & macadamia. I'm not that crazy about ginger so that was my least fave but the other 2 were good!

A+ for Hachi!

Nautical Nellies Steak & Seafood - Victoria, B.C.

1001 Wharf Street
Victoria, B.C. Canada
V8W 1T6
nauticalnelliesrestaurant.com

After searching fruitlessly for someplace to eat dinner, we stumbled into Nautical Nellies. It looked like one of those trendy, overpriced places so we didn't have high expectations. I ordered the Seafood Trio ($27.50): sweet chili glazed prawns, bourbon bbq halibut & lemongrass ginger salmon which came with green beans and mashed potatoes. I think Hubby ordered the Classif Surf & Turf ($42.50): filet mignon & baked lobster tail. I'm not positive though, but it's the only thing on the menu that seems to match the picture I took.

Unfortunately I don't remember how the food was. I don't recall hating it, so I think I must've liked it. But it was a bit overpriced.

Old Vic Fish & Chips - Victoria, B.C.

1316 Broad Street
Victoria, B.C. Canada

We spotted this place as we walked around Victoria. The sign outside said "Voted Victoria's Best" so in we went. Pretty basic interior. We sat in a booth and ordered - what else - fish & chips (Cod & Halibut). Hubby liked the cod, I liked the halibut.

SalaThai - Vancouver, B.C.

102-888 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
V6Z IX9
salathai.ca


I am always craving Thai food and I spotted this place while strolling around Vancouver. It was much too cute to pass up! Decorated to the nines in full out Thai style. I wish I took some pictures of the interior but it was jam packed full and didn't feel like being the lame tourist taking pictures of the restaurant decor.
I always order the following things at a Thai restaurant: Thai iced tea, tod mun (fish cakes) and larb kai (minced chicken and chilis with lime juice). Hubby ordered some tom yum talay (hot & sour seafood soup) and ruam mit ("an exceptional dish of assorted seafood with homemade spicy curry coconut sauce, bell pepper & served on a sizzling plate").

We were pleasantly delighted with the deliciousness. No wonder they were packed, and with Asians, too. You know you gotta worry when there's no Asian customer in sight at an Asian restaurant. I especially liked how generous they were with the cucumber in the fish cake sauce. Some places are way too skimpy, or *gasping in horror* don't give you any at all!
I must return to this place if I'm back in Vancouver!

Imperial Chinese Seafood Restaurant - Vancouver, B.C.

355 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
V6C 2G8
imperialrest.com


I was determined to eat dim sum while in Vancouver and we found this place within walking distance of our hotel. We were a little disappointed to have to order off a menu rather than pick items off the carts. It's just a fun part of the dim sum experience! Although with the menu you can plan your meal better and make sure you order all the stuff you want. Sometimes with the carts you get full and THEN they bring out some new stuff you forgot you liked to eat! So anyway we ordered our standard dim sum faire..steamped shrimp dumplings, siu mai, fried taro balls, salty fried squid, bbq pork buns, chicken feet (hubby only - I don't like food that makes you work that hard for so little return), sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf, egg tarts and deep fried bean paste balls, etc.
I only took one crappy picture so I apologize:

The food was decent. I think I'd try another dim sum place though the next time we're in Vancouver (if and whenever that may be!)

Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant - Vancouver, B.C.

555 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
V6B 4N6

 We went to Vancouver in July 2008. After having eaten at the revolving restaurant at SkyTower in Auckland, New Zealand, we decided to continue the trend in Canada. We made reservations for July 4th (yep, spent Independence Day vacationing in Vancouver; we're so patriotic) and strolled over from our hotel, The Metropolitan on Howe Street (great hotel, btw).

I ordered Lobster Tortelloni ($34 CAD) and I think hubby ordered the Seafood Melody ($36 CAD).

"Jumbo stuffed shelled with fresh lobster meat and ricotta cheese and herbs" is the description from their menu. It was good, but a bit pricey (which these revolving restaurants tend to be).

"Sauteed tiger prawns, scallops, and halibut in a honey ginger chili garlic sauce" and if I recall correctly, it tasted as good as it sounds.

Nice views of Vancouver, good food, worth a visit!

Kokoro Sushi - Lake Forest

23775 El Toro Rd
Lake Forest, CA 92630
kokorosushi.com

It had been a rainy, rainy week in So Cal and we'd been trapped indoors for too long. So when my 2 sisters in law said they wanted to come over and go out to dinner, I was excited. SIL #1 requested teppanyaki but as there isn't any such place close enough to venture out to with 2 babies during a thunderstorm, I suggested sushi instead. A quick Yelp! search brought up 2 contenders; Kokoro Sushi was the closest so off we went.

There were only 2 other tables with customers on this particular stormy evening. We sat at table by the far wall and Hee Jung (I assume it was her, as this is a mom & pop shop owned by Charles & Hee Jung) gave us menus. We ordered edamame to start with, and then:

Baked Salmon Roll - $8.95
























Philadelphia Roll - $6.95 (I'd never had one before but am a cream cheese fan so wanted to try it)

TNT Roll - $7.95 (shrimp tempura on top of basically a cali roll with spicy mayo sauce)

 Popcorn Lobster Roll - $9.95 (spicy tuna & avocado topped with popcorn lobster spicy mayo sauce)

As well as #34 Chef's Choice 6 piece Sushi w/ 4 piece Crunch Roll ($9.95) and SIL #2 ordered a Chicken Bowl ($5.50).

I didn't try the chicken bowl, but the rest was yum! Hee Jung was also very sweet and our waitress was nice. At one point there was a crash of lightning and the power went out for probably less than a minute. Hee Jung came over to ask if we were alright LOL.

I totally gorged myself but it was worth it! Satisfied my sushi craving I'd been having for 2 weeks.

Cream Pan - Tustin

602 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780

Cream Pan is rightfully famous among OC foodies as one of the best bakeries in the county. One bite of their famous strawberry croissant will have you drooling for more.
This Strawberry Croissant Fever can be so severe, that it can disturb your sleep. Let me explain: I was going to go buy 20 strawberry croissants for my daughter's birthday party one Saturday. I was apparently so anxious, that the night before I dreamt that I kept waking up to check the clock to make sure I hadn't overslept, only to dream that I finally HAD over slept and gotten to Cream Pan too late - they were sold out of croissants. To make matters worse, I overslept in REAL LIFE and woke up later than planned. Cursing, I threw on some clothes and yelled at Hubby to hurry up and get in the car, we were late for my strawberry croissants! (Before you think I'm crazy, they sell out by noon so you have to get there early!)

They really are that yummy, folks. I didn't believe it until I had one for the first time. The croissant itself is flaky and buttery perfection, filled with a sweet custard and three thin slices of strawberry. Another slice or 2 wouldn't hurt but I'm not complaining!

The banana croissants are also tasty. I like the cream pan, too (and it's only like $1.50). I have also tried the tiramisu cup (yummy) and the strawberry shortcake (too dry, and pricy! avoid it!). I want to try the azuki cream pan and curry pan, which a lot of Yelpers recommend.
Oh and they're closed on Mondays, which is such a bummer because I would love to get some on the Mondays when my parents visit us.

Extraordinary Desserts - San Diego

2929 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 294-2132

www.extraordinarydesserts.com

There are 2 locations of this dessert shop in San Diego: one near Balboa Park and one in Little Italy. I prefer the Balboa Park location.
My sister lives in San Diego and we make it a habit to go to Extraordinary Desserts whenever my parents visit. It's a trendy little shop where the line can stretch out the door and down the street if you come at the wrong time. Inside is a long display counter filled with all manner of delicacies: tarts, cookies, pastries, and of course, decadent cakes galore. Beautiful, rich, decadent cakes - for the chocoholic or fruit lover. I love the Torta Misu, Gianduia, La Bete Noir, Truffe Framboise and my latest discovery: Caribe.
It's a dark chocolate cake infused with mango, banana and passionfruit. Absolutely delicious! The fruit sauce helps cut through the chocolatelyness of the cake.

You place your order at the counter and pay, then receive a number, find an empty table (I like to sit out on the patio if the weather's nice), and wait for them to bring out your order.

Warning: these cakes are seriously rich so I recommend sharing a slice between 2 people. I have a pretty strong sweet tooth but one of these babies is too much for me to polish off by myself. They are also a bit pricey, but as an occasional indulgence, definitely worth it!

In the beginning...

I've wanted to start a food blog for a couple of years now, inspired by the likes of Monster Munching (http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/) and Wandering Chopsticks (http://wanderingchopsticks.blogspot.com/). I used to try out various eateries around LA with my roommate during college which would've been the perfect fodder for a food blog. We kept a notebook in the car so we could jot down names of restaurants we saw as we cruised around the city, promising to come back another day to try them out. We were suckers for cute and whimsical names: Eat-a-Pita on Fairfax; Earth Wind & Flour in Santa Monica. But as that was 1998-2002, and I lacked a digital camera and was "blogging" on Xanga, it never came to fruition. Now living in OC for 8 years and with 2 kiddos underfoot, I don't get to eat out much but I always take pictures when I do. This blog will be a documentary of my life on a plate (okay I think I stole that phrase from a Millencollin album).